BTR-3U of the Myanmar Army (photo : MAC)The armament of the forces of Myanmar are interested in continuing cooperation with Ukraine in the sphere of production of modern wheeled armored vehicles. This became known reporters portal military-informant.com .Myanmar expects to buy even more Ukrainian armored personnel carriers, which proved themselves during the border crisis with China in early 2015.As is known, Myanmar was one of the buyers of new Ukrainian BTR-3U, when concluded in 2003, the first contract for the supply of ten wheeled combat vehicles. Upon receipt of the first experimental batch it was decided about the licensed production of the kits supplied from Ukraine directly at the territory of Myanmar.According to unconfirmed information, at the moment in Myanmar it produced about 50 armored vehicles with an option for the same. It is worth noting that part of the combat vehicles BTR-3U is equipped protivokumulyativnymi screens.BTR-3 - a modern Ukrainian armored personnel carrier designed Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau named after Morozov. It is a further development of the design of the BTR-80.BTR-3 became a hit Ukrainian defense industry and exported to many countries, including Thailand, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, UAE, Sudan, Chad , and is designed to transport personnel of mechanized infantry units and fire support in combat. APC is used to equip the units are able to conduct operations in a variety of conditions, including the conditions of use of the enemy weapons of mass destruction.(Military Informant)

HTMS Krabi class OPV (photo : meretmarine)MAN 28/33D STC Engine Adds Thai ReferenceThe Royal Thai Navy will build a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) that will be powered by 2 × MAN 16V28/33D STC engines. The 90-m newbuilding will be constructed at Mahidol Adulyadej naval dockyard in Sattahip. The vessel is an improved River-class design.Locally called OPV No. 2, the order follows that of OPV No. 1, the ‘HTMS Krabi’ that was ordered in 2009, a similar vessel that featured 2 × 16V28/33D engines.

28 Mei 2016

PAF will repair and maintenance one of its three Fokker F-27 (photo : amdr)MANILA (PNA) -- In line with its efforts to ensure that all of its aircraft are mission-ready at all times, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has allocated the sum of Php4,650,000 for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the repair and maintenance of one of its three Fokker F-27 "Friendship" transport planes.Pre-bid conference is scheduled for June 2, 2 p.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.On the other hand, bid submission and opening is on June 14, 9 a.m. at the same venue, said PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Nicolas C. Parilla.The F-27 is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the defunct Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.Design of the aircraft started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner. (PNA)

RNZN navy fleet (photo : NZDF)New Zealand has announced a defence budget of NZD3.7 billion (USD2.5 billion) for 2016/17, representing an 8.8% increase over the previous financial year. A further NZD301 million of new funding was also announced for defence, which will be allocated over the four years between 2016/17 and 2019/20.The funding for defence is comprised of two main allocations administered by the Minister of Defence. The majority of funding is provided under the Defence Force vote for which NZD3,280 million was allocated under the 2016/17 budget. Under the appropriation the air force will receive NZD770 million, the army NZD809 million, and the navy USD459 million, with NZD446 million provided for defence-wide functions.(Jane's)

27 Mei 2016

LMV Independence cruising into its new home Tuas Naval Base.(photo : Sing Mindef)The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) welcomed a new addition to its fleet as Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) Independence finished its sea trials and cruised to its new home at Tuas Naval Base on 26 May.LMV Independence is one of the eight LMVs that will replace the current Fearless-class Patrol Vessels (PVs). The new ships will be more efficient than their predecessors in areas such as speed and versatility.Speaking at the event, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han said: "It is an important milestone for the (LMV) programme. The homecoming of LMV Independence marks the conclusion of almost 2 years of the construction phase. It also marks the beginning of about 11 to 12 months of ICIT (Installation, Checkout, Integration and Testing). I think this is something we can be very proud of and something that we want to thank all involved for bringing the project to this point."

Touching on the commissioning of LMV Independence next year, RADM Lai said: "This will be a significant moment to mark the Navy's coming of age at 50 years, as we complete our 3rd Generation transformation, as we move into our redesign for LMV Indy to be the lead platform, to be, if I can borrow the phrase, the 'flagship of our future Navy'."The event also marked the renaming of 182 Squadron (SQN) and 189 SQN, which are formed by the current eleven PVs -- to 182 SQN. The new logo for 182 SQN was also unveiled. The eight LMVs will be fully operational by 2020 and they will then complete 182 SQN."Now, as we're in the advanced stages of our 3rd Generation transformation, the return of LMV Independence to 182 SQN marks a major milestone for the squadron and its new logo (which says) Sharp and Vigilant, which rightly encapsulates what the squadron will do: Remain sharp and vigilant 24/7, safeguarding our water and protecting our nation."(Sing MoD)

The Fourth Frigate "Gepard" for the Vietnamese Navy (photos : TASS)KAZAN /TASS/ The fourth frigate "Gepard-3.9" for the Navy of Vietnam into the water at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky in Tatarstan. Told Tass the official representative of the plant Andrey Spiridonov."Fourth" Gepard-3.9 "launched in a ceremony attended by representatives of Vietnam and the" Rosoboronexport ", - said Spiridonov." A bottle of champagne on board the vessel broke Commissioner Vietnamese Navy Vice Admiral Dinh Nhat Over ", - he added.As noted by the agency, until the end of summer, the frigate will be in the water area of ​​the plant where the vessel will install the latest items of equipment. "On sea trials planned to send a frigate in September 2016", - said Spiridonov.

In 2011, the plant delivered the first two Vietnamese Navy frigate "Gepard-3.9", the third "Gepard-3.9" was launched in April 2016.Patrol Frigates Project 11661 (code "Gepard") are constructed at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky in 1990. They are designed to search and anti-submarine, surface and air targets, a patrol, conducting convoy operations, as well as protection of the marine economic zone. Ship displacement of 1.5 thousand tons, they are equipped with artillery, antiship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weaponry.(TASS)

26 Mei 2016

General Electric F414-GE-400 engines (photo : cc)South Korea picks GE to supply engines for homegrown fighter jetsSouth Korea has picked General Electric Co (GE.N) to supply engines for its homegrown KF-X fighter jet project, preferring the U.S. giant over a European consortium in a deal that could be worth an estimated $3.5 billion.The decision, announced on Thursday by the country's arms procurement agency marks the latest step in Seoul's multi-billion dollar plans to develop its own fighter jets to reduce its heavy reliance on the U.S. military for air defense.The move gives GE preferred bidder status, with a contract expected to be finalised and signed in June. Financial details weren't disclosed, but South Korean media have estimated the deal could be worth about 4.08 trillion won.Last year, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration picked Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) (047810.KS), which partners with Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), to develop the 8.7 trillion won ($7.4 billion) KF-X jet project.North and South Korea, in a technical state of war since their 1950-1953 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, are separated by the world's most heavily militarized border.

KAI plans to develop and produce 170 twin-engined jets initially, with 50 destined for export to Indonesia, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation was confidential.More engines are expected to be sold if KAI successfully exports the KF-X to other countries seeking a relatively cheaper replacement for their U.S.-supplied jets.To power the aircraft, KAI has opted for F414-GE-400 engines, produced by GE Aviation, over a rival bid to supply Eurojet EJ200 engines, made by a consortium that includes Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR.L) and MTU Aero Engines AG (MTXGn.DE).GE Aviation scored better results than Eurojet in all four main criteria for the contract, the DAPA said in a statement: technology, costs, localization and management.South Korea plans to localize production of parts of the KF-X engines by 2022, according to the DAPA.(Reuters)

Refurbished F-16D of the TNI AU (photo : Kaskus Militer)Vietnam May Request F-16s, P-3 Orions From USTAIPEI, Taiwan — With the lifting of the US arms embargo to Vietnam, a US defense industry source indicates Hanoi is seeking to improve its air defense and maritime security capabilities with the procurement of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US Pentagon’s excess defense articles (EDA) program and refurbished P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, armed with torpedoes.The source also said Vietnam could seek US-made UAVs for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.Torpedoes were banned under the embargo, but now the Vietnamese want the same P-3 program the US sold to Taiwan, the source said. On the F-16 EDA, they want the same deal the Obama administration gave Indonesia.Defense News has also acquired an unclassified defense industry briefing prepared by the US Pacific Command. According to the report, “Socialist Republic of Vietnam — Country Security Cooperation Plan,” the US Embassy in Hanoi “possesses a robust security cooperating program operating in accordance with US policy goals and interests to promote integration and access focused on key areas within the Vietnamese security architecture.”These include achieving air and maritime domain awareness, providing maritime security against traditional and nontraditional security threats, delivering all-hazards response and support to civil authorities, participating in regional contingency response and international peacekeeping operations, and addressing the impact of Vietnam War legacy issues on civil society.“The SCO [Security Cooperation Organization] is manned and capable of providing in-country support and coordination for programs to expand US defense article procurement ... and assist Vietnam in developing and sustaining professional armed forces,” the report said.According to the report, Vietnam’s strategic outlook involves the survival of the Communist Party by maintaining sovereignty and independence, achieving freedom of maneuver, and ensuring sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and unfettered access to natural resources and the global economic market.China has been testing Vietnam’s EEZ claims with incursions by maritime patrol vessels, aggressive commercial fishing vessels and the stationing of an oil drilling test platform in 2014, dubbed the Haiyang Shiyou 981 standoff.

Vietnam’s goals, according to the report, are to enhance its presence in the South China Sea with upgrades for submarine warfare, maritime air-ground interdiction, anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime domain awareness (MDA), early warning, and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR).In the past, Vietnam has procured defense articles from sources within the former Soviet Union and former East Bloc nations, but it has “begun reaching out to the European Union, Israel, and others.”On radar issues, the Vietnamese are procuring a high-frequency surface wave radar from the US for $30 million, according to the report. This is part of their overall effort to improve early warning and ISR.The report breaks down each service requirement.For the Army, it must transition from a territorial defense structure, retain a central role as defender of national sovereignty and improve capacity to respond to natural disasters.The Air Force must improve early warning and airborne ISR, enhance maritime interdiction, develop anti-access/area-denial capabilities, and revamp pilot training.The Navy must improve MDA, electronic countermeasures/electronic counter-countermeasures, electronic intelligence, expand maritime law enforcement capabilities, develop a naval aviation arm, and enhance ASW and ASUW.The US Embassy’s primary cooperation vision is to promote the United States as a “reliable partner to address complex, forward looking security issues.” It also hopes to establish military relationships outside the traditional theater support command that include defense sales, cross-servicing, voyage repairs, and science and technology cooperation.The report said that priorities include the “establishment” of sustainable lines of effort (LOE) and “synchronize” operations, actions and activities (OAA); instill a programmatic, regularized approach to security cooperation; and focus on nontraditional security approaches and humanitarian activities.According to Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, big-ticket sales may be a long way off: “Vietnam does not have the defense budget for that. It is fully committed to integrating six advanced Kilo-class submarines into its fleet,” and all maintenance, repair and logistics network and workforce are geared to work with Soviet/Russian technology.Another hurdle for Vietnam is that Hanoi will continue to face the same restrictions that all other countries face when trying to procure US arms, Thayer said, including human rights issues and the authoritarian nature of the government in power.(DefenseNews)

Navies of Thailand and the United States are conducting anti-submarine exercises in the Andaman Sea. Drills are being conducted against the backdrop of submarine proliferation in the Southeast Asian region (photos : Jane's, RTN)The USN Navy (USN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are carrying out a series of drills that includes the "most complex" anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise conducted between the two services to date.The drills, which are being conducted as part of the annual bilateral naval exercise known as 'Guardian Sea', are being held in the Andaman Sea from 23 to 27 May. The exercise in 2016 involves a USN Los Angeles-class attack submarine, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol craft and the RTN's sole aircraft carrier, the 182 m HTMS Chakri Naruebet .

Also participating from the USN is the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stethem , the RTN's two Chinese-made Naresuan-class frigates, HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin , and an unspecified number of S-70B naval helicopters, according to information provided to IHS Jane's on 25 May."Guardian Sea provides our navies the opportunity and challenge of detecting and tracking submarines, and to practice procedures related to anti-submarine warfare," said Capt H. B. Le, commodore of the USN's destroyer, Squadron Seven , in a statement on the bilateral drills."This year's exercise will be the most complex to date and we look forward to working alongside the Royal Thai Navy ashore and at sea to improve our skills and enhance our interoperability," he added.Exercise 'Guardian Sea' in 2016 will also feature a shore phase with seminars and exchanges between subject-matter experts from both navies.(Jane's)

AgustaWestland AW-109E prepare to landing on BRP Tarlac (image : Update)DLQ training aboard BRP Tarlac to start after June 1MANILA (PNA) -- Philippine Navy (PN) helicopters, mostly the newly-acquired AgustaWestland utility and attack units, will start their deck-landing qualification (DLQ) training on the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) after June 1.This was stressed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Tuesday."DLQ (training) will start after June 1 (the scheduled commissioning date of BRP Tarlac, the country's first strategic sealift vessel)," he added.DLQ training involves actually deck landing of the helicopters and crews to receive and maintain these aerial assets.The PN operates three AgustaWestland AW-109E utility units and two of its attack versions.The BRP Tarlac is capable of housing three helicopters, with two on the helideck and one on its hangar deck.The ship can carry a payload of 2,800 tons. BRP Tarlac's gross tonnage is placed at 7,300 tons.The PN earlier announced that the BRP Tarlac can accommodate 500 troops, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units and three helicopters.The ship has an overall length of 120 meters, breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and carry a payload of 2,800 tons.She has a cruising speed of 13 knots and maximum speed of 16 knots.The BRP Tarlac was one of two SSVs acquired from PT PAL (Persero) for the sum of PHP3.8 billion.Her sister-ship is expected to arrive by May 2017.(PNA)

Oplot main battle tanks (photo : andrei-bt)As reported in the Thai social networks, 21 May 2016 iin the naval base of Sattahip naval vessel of Thailand was delivered to Ukraine next batch of ten tanks BM "MBT-T" manufactured by Kharkov state enterprise "Malyshev Plant" on the contract 2011. Thus, the total number of tanks under the contract, set in Thailand, reached 20. Unloading one of Thailand delivered in ten tanks BM "MBT-T" a third party made ​​the Kharkov state enterprise "Malyshev Plant" contract in 2011 of the year.The tanks were made in pursuance of a contract worth more than $ 240 million, signed by GK "Ukrspetsexport" September 1, 2011 for the supply of Thai Army 49 new tanks "MBT-T" and two armored recovery vehicles based on them, with a maturity of the contract to the the end of 2014. Thailand is actually delivered to the launch customer tanks BM "Oplot" developed by SE "Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau named after Morozov," represents a further development of the family T-80U / UD.Agreed shipping schedule BM "Oplot-T" under the contract is as follows: December 2012 - five cars, in August 2013 - 15 cars, in December 2013 - 15 cars, in August 2014 - 14 machines. Performance of the contract "Plant named after VA .Malysheva "started in April 2012 and the company has faced considerable difficulties in resuming production of the tank, after more than ten years' break. Under the contract, the first five tanks were to be handed over to the customer in December 2012, then for a period putting the Thai side of the first five tanks called in May 2013. In reality, the first five tanks "Oplot-T" made ​​under the contract, have been demonstrated in Kharkov only October 15, 2013, and delivered by sea to Thailand February 4, 2014. The second batch of five tanks "Oplot-T" was made ​​"Plant Malyshev name "to the beginning of 2015 and delivered in Thailand May 31, 2015. The third batch of ten tanks, "Oplot-T" has been completed with the production of the end of 2015 to April 2016 and reached Thailand's only now.(BMPD)

Vietnamese Frigates, Dinh Tien Hoang (Hq-011) (photo : Brunei MoD)Vietnam has increased its military spending dramatically in recent years amid a series of territorial disputes with China.And the southeast Asian nation may soon be splashing out more to upgrade its defense capabilities. President Obama on Monday announced an end to decades-old military sanctions banning U.S. arms exports to Vietnam.How much does Vietnam spend?Last year, Vietnam's military expenditures totaled $4.4 billion, or 8% of total government spending, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. That's a dramatic rise from 2005, when Vietnam spent roughly $1 billion -- though the numbers are a bit fuzzy because the government doesn't publicize its defense budget.The country's defense spending will increase further to $5 billion this year, and $6.2 billion by 2020, estimates Jon Grevatt, Asia Pacific Defense Industry Analyst at IHS Jane's.Those numbers may be rising fast but they're dwarfed by the world's big military spenders. The U.S. leads the pack, shelling out $596 billion in 2015, according to SIPRI. China is in second place with roughly $215 billion in spending last year.Who are Vietnam's main suppliers?In recent years, around 80% of Vietnam's military purchases have come from Russia.Vietnam has used the purchases to modernize its capabilities -- especially its surface and submarine fleets. It has also boosted coastal defenses with the purchase of anti-ship batteries and missiles. The air force primarily operates Russian-made aircraft.Moscow is expected to maintain its leading position, but European nations and Israel have started to move into the market."This gives an opportunity for the U.S. to do the same," Grevatt said.The U.S. has sold some gear to Vietnam in the past. The arms embargo was eased twice in the past decade, and most recently in 2014. Washington is currently sending six fast patrol vessels to Vietnam to help bolster its coast guard and counter Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea.How much business is up for grabs?IHS estimates that Vietnam will earmark about $1.6 billion for defense purchases this year. That's estimated to rise to $2 billion by 2020 as the overall defense budget increases.Some of the equipment Vietnam is believed to be reviewing for purchase include Lockheed Martin's (LOCKHE) P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and Raytheon (RTN) coastal radar systems, IHS said.Vietnam is also expected to boost its maritime security with patrol aircraft, coastal radars and naval craft. But the government is likely to need some financing aid to complete the purchases.Much of the business is expected to include some collaboration. In recent years, Vietnam has pushed for joint production or R&D to help upgrade its domestic capabilities.(CNN)